Oscar Recap: Winners and Criticism

There! Finally, the 2015 years is over. Despite mine (and many others’) disappointment at the Oscars, we can all agree this was a fantastic year. I’ll be working on the movies I anticipate for this year: upcoming releases My Name is Doris, X-Men: Apocalypse, Captain America: Civil War, Birth of a Nation are already bouncing around my head! Let’s see how I did:

Correct: 15 / 24…I’ve done better

Best Picture:

WON: Spotlight

Could not be more pleased to have been completely wrong in this decision. My second favorite movie of the year, Spotlight was an intense, well researched procedural. I can still hear those phones ringing at the end, and Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schrieber, Stanley Tucci, along with the rest of the cast were exceptional!

My Prediction: The Revenant

Alternate: The Big Short

Best Director:

WON: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu – The Revenant

Though AIG is one of my favorite directors, I’m disappointed he got in over McCarthy and Miller, but I’ll just keep thinking about all his other movies and be generally ok with it

My Prediction: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu – The Revenant

Alternate: George Miller – Mad Max: Fury Road

Best Actor:

WON: Leonardo DiCaprio – The Revenant

Likely the easiest prediction of the night to call, Leo finally got his Oscar. Should’ve been for The Departed, but at least now we never have to hear about him being “due” again.

My Prediction: Leonardo DiCario – The Revenant

Alternate: Michael Fassbender – Steve Jobs

Best Actress:

WON: Brie Larson – Room

Another given. Brie swept everything this year, so there was no way she was missing this. Should’ve at least been nominated for Short Term 12, but her performance here was good, and she is a great young talent. Congrats!

My Prediction: Brie Larson – Room

Alternate: Saoirse Ronan – Brooklyn

Best Supporting Actor:

WON: Mark Rylance – Bridge of Spies

This win is actually not terribly surprising. Stallone won heavily in precursors, and where I was expecting Stallone, Rylance has been popular for this role, which he is very good in, and has lots of good will from Wolf Hall and Spielberg.

My Prediction: Sylvester Stallone – Creed

Alternate: Mark Rylance – Bridge of Spies

Best Supporting Actress:

WON: Alicia Vikander – The Danish Girl

Good for you, Alicia. You had another great year. Somehow you got super popular for this role rather than the much much much much much (…) much better Ava in Ex Machina. But I can finish beating that drum now that we have 2016 to look forward to.

My Prediction: Alicia Vikander – The Danish Girl

Alternate: Kate Winslet – Steve Jobs

Best Original Screenplay:

WON: Spotlight

Yet again, yay! Loved the script, and though this was the only other award for the BP winner, it’s for it’s strong script.

My Prediction: Spotlight

Alternate: Inside Out

Best Adapted Screenplay:

WON: The Big Short

You didn’t win picture or director. Go ahead and have this, because though I thought the actual movie was a touch of a mess, the script behind it was surprisingly strong. This is the only nomination you got out of me.

My Prediction: The Big Short

Alternate: The Martian

Best Cinematography:

WON: The Revenant

Why did I doubt Chivo. Three in a row to make up for you missing the ones before Gravity. Time to take a break and let other cinematographers get some attention.

My Prediction: Mad Max: Fury Road

Alternate: The Revenant

Best Costume Design:

WON: Mad Max Fury Road

Wrong, and sadly Carol went home empty handed, but damn the MMFR costumes were great post-apocalyptic gear!

My Prediction: Carol

Alternate: Mad Max Fury Road

Best Film Editing:

WON: Mad Max Fury Road

This one was cut brilliantly–that’s all that needs said.

My Prediction: Mad Max Fury Road

Alternate: The Big Short

Best Makeup and Hairstyling:

WON: Mad Max Fury Road

For some grotesque creatures, violently wild action leads to some great makeup work

My Prediction: Mad Max Fury Road

Alternate: The Revenant

Best Original Score:

WON: The Hateful Eight

I didn’t see this. Good for Ennio. He deserves it.

My Prediction: The Hateful Eight

Alternate: Carol

Best Original Song:

WON: “Writings on the Wall” – Spectre

Was expecting the publicity crazy Lady Gaga and the overdue Dianne Warren to take this. Went to the shaky (at the ceremony literally) Sam Smith. Like the artist; song was okay.

My Prediction : “Til It Happens to You” The Hunting Ground

Alternate: “Earned It” Fifty Shades

Best Production Design

WON: Mad Max Fury Road

The citadel and the vehicles made this movie what it is!

My Prediction: Mad Max Fury Road

Alternate: Bridge of Spies

Best Sound Editing:

WON: Mad Max Fury Road

My Prediction: Mad Max Fury Road

Alternate: Star Wars

Best Sound Mixing:

WON: Mad Max Fury Road

My Prediction: Mad Max Fury Road

Alternate: The Revenant

Best Visual Effects:

WON: Ex Machina

This one threw everyone for a loop. Good job recognizing the smallest budgeted film in the category. The perfection that was Ava was astounding!

My Prediction: Star Wars

Alternate: Mad Max Fury Road

Best Animated Feature Film:

WON: Inside Out

Of course this one won! So touching and well written with an amazing voice cast.

My Prediction: Inside Out

Alternate: Anomalisa

Best Foreign Language Film:

WON: Son of Saul

This is the only one of the five I got to see, but it wound up in my Top 10 this year. A nightmarish experience made all the more real because it was real.

My Prediction: Son of Saul

Alternate: Theeb

Best Documentary Feature:

WON: Amy

My Prediction: Amy

Best Documentary Short Subject:

WON: A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness

My Prediction: Last Day of Freedom

Best Short Film (Animated)

WON: Bear Story

This one was good; it was no “World of Tomorrow”. Attractive animation though.